2017 (Senior): Started all 11 games at nickel back, stretching his string of consecutive starts to 21 … Ranked second on the team and tops among defensive backs with 56 tackles … Also tied for second on the team with five passes defended (four pass breakups and an interception) … Recorded multiple tackles in 10-of-11 games and five or more stops in 7-of-11 contests … Opened the season with seven tackles and a pass breakup in double-overtime loss to Tennessee (Sept. 4) … Set up a pivotal touchdown right before halftime with an interception and 21-yard return in home-opening win over Jacksonville State (Sept. 9) … Also had five tackles and a pass breakup in win over JSU … Recorded five tackles apiece in back-to-back contests versus North Carolina (Sept. 30) and MIami (Oct. 7) … Notched eight tackles, a tackle for loss and a pass breakup in heartbreaking loss at Virginia (Nov. 4) … Tallied a season-high 11 stops at Duke (Nov. 18)
2016 (Junior): Appeared in all 13 games and started the final 10 contests at nickel back … Named ACC Defensive Back of the Week following Georgia Tech’s 30-20 win at No. 18 Virginia Tech (Nov. 12) … Tied for seventh in ACC with three interceptions (good for tie for team lead with twin brother, Lance) … Ranked seventh on team with 47 tackles (31 solo) … Recorded a career-high 12 tackles in first start of the season versus Clemson (Sept. 22) … Was responsible for three takeaways with two interceptions and a forced fumble (which was recovered by his brother, Lance) in key win at Virginia Tech (Nov. 12) … Named ACC DB of the Week following win at VT, which began a streak of three-straight ACC DB of the Week awards for the Austin brothers to close out the regular season (Lance won the final two for his performances vs. Virginia on Nov. 19 and at Georgia on Nov. 26) … Tallied 12 tackles over the final two games of the regular season – six vs. Virginia (Nov. 19) and six at Georgia (Nov. 26) … Recorded 25 tackles and three interceptions over the final six games of the season — including four stops in TaxSlayer Bowl win over Kentucky — helping Georgia Tech go 5-1 during that stretch.
2015 (Sophomore): Played in all 12 games, making nine starts at nickel back … Finished season with 40 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception and two pass breakups … Recorded two tackles vs. Alcorn State (Sept. 3) … Added one solo stop vs. Tulane (Sept. 12) … Tallied three tackles at Notre Dame (Sept. 19) … Recorded four tackles and an interception at Duke (Sept. 26) … Five tackles vs. North Carolina (Oct. 3) … Recorded one tackle and 0.5 TFL at Clemson (Oct. 10) … Made two stops vs. Pitt (Oct. 17) … Added career-high six tackles and PBU in last-second win vs. Florida State (Oct. 24) … Tallied five tackles vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 12) … Recorded career-high eight tackles at Miami (Nov. 21).
2014 (True Freshman): Played in all 14 games, making one start at NC State … Had 19 tackles, including 11 solo, one interception, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble … Recorded one solo tackle vs. Florida State in ACC Championship Game (Dec. 6) … Had two solo tackles vs. Clemson (Nov. 15) … Made first-career start and recorded four tackles and one pass breakup at NC State (Nov. 8) … Registered a then career-best five tackles, including four solo, vs. Duke (Oct. 11) … Recorded three tackles and forced first fumble of career at Virginia Tech (Sept. 20) … Made one solo tackle vs. Georgia Southern (Sept. 13) … Had first-career interception and made one tackle at Tulane (Sept. 6) … Recorded one tackle in collegiate debut in season opener against Wofford (Aug. 30).
High School: Played under coach Frank Stephens … Was standout on both sides of ball in high school … As senior, rushed for 1,348 yards and 19 touchdowns, averaging 9.7 yards per carry … Caught 10 passes for 211 yards and four TDs … Recorded 69 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions, two pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one defensive touchdown … Also returned kick for TD … Helped lead Lamar County to 14-1 record and runner-up finish in state championship game … Also ran track for four years.
Personal: Full name is Lawrence Alexander Austin … Parents are Derick and Stephanie Austin … Father, Derick, played football at Georgia Southern … Born March 10, 1996 in Statesboro, Ga. … Siblings are Lance and Precious … Twin brother, Lance, is also a defensive back for the Yellow Jackets … Began playing football at age seven … Enjoys fishing … Chose Georgia Tech because “it’s one of the top academic institutions in the nation, with one of the top football programs, and because it’s close to home.” … Graduates from Georgia Tech in May 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 12 vs. No. 5/3 Clemson, Sept. 22, 2016
Solo Tackles: 7 vs. No. 5/3 Clemson, Sept. 22, 2016
Tackles for Loss: 1.0, four times – last at Virginia, Nov. 4, 2017
Forced Fumbles: 1, twice – last at No. 18/22 Virginia Tech, Nov. 12, 2016
Pass Breakups: 1, seven times – last at Virginia, Nov. 4, 2017
Interceptions: 2 at No. 18/22 Virginia Tech, Nov. 12, 2016
